The critics seem to have a general consensus that SOTT is Prince's best work, in the same way that they agree on What's Going On (Marvin), Songs in the Key of Life (Stevie), Pet Sounds (Beach Boys), Sergeant Pepper (Beatles), etc. But we all know that the fans often disagree and usually come up with their own consensus e.g., Here My Dear, Talking Book/Innervisions, Smile, Revolver/Rubber Soul/etc.

As for Prince, is there any general consensus among fans on which album is actually Prince's best work apart from SOTT?

I'd say it's 1999.

Edit: I've updated the list below to include the albums that get multiple mentions in the replies. So far the main contender is 1999. No Controversy and Diamonds & Pearls? C'mon now people

• 1999.
• Purple Rain
• Around The World in A Day
• Parade
• Lovesexy
• Dirty Mind

[Edited 8/29/13 18:44pm]

WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT: Planet Earth.

(But on a serious note, it is of course PURPLE RAIN, both artistically and commercially).

P.S. Even though from a purely personal perspective, I am drawn to particularly Parade, 1999 and Lovesexy, as astonishing works of complete art.

P.P.S. Extra special attention should ultimately always be given to Dirty Mind.

vikfunk said:

The critics seem to have a general consensus that SOTT is Prince's best work, in the same way that they agree on What's Going On (Marvin), Songs in the Key of Life (Stevie), Pet Sounds (Beach Boys), Sergeant Pepper (Beatles), etc. But we all know that the fans often disagree and usually come up with their own consensus e.g., Here My Dear, Talking Book/Innervisions, Smile, Revolver/Rubber Soul/etc.

As for Prince, is there any general consensus among fans on which album is actually Prince's best work apart from SOTT?

I'd say it's 1999.

Other contenders (again, IMO):

• Purple Rain
• Diamonds & Pearls
• ATWIAD
• Dirty Mind
• Controversy

Wait, you put "D&P", "ATWIAD", & "Controversy" on this list [& I love "Controversy"], But no "Parade", or "Lovesexy"?!?!?! You are buggin'.

I would have to believe that "Parade" would be, if "SOTT" didn't exist.

sfinky1 said:

No way Diamonds and pearls - that is a terrible album. Just feels so empty to me - like a compilation album. All bright, shiny, upbeat pop songs but there's no love, no heart, no soul holding it all together that seemed to be there in on the 80s records. Graffiti bridge and Symbol album suffer from the same hodge-podge 'compilation' feel to me.. He was all over the place trying to do too many things at once in this period..

"Diamonds & Pearls" is easy one of Prince's worst albums, imo. I totally agree with you.

It's a tough one, but Purple Rain. 1999, Dirty Mind, and Parade are pretty good too!

Tittypants said:

vikfunk said:

The critics seem to have a general consensus that SOTT is Prince's best work, in the same way that they agree on What's Going On (Marvin), Songs in the Key of Life (Stevie), Pet Sounds (Beach Boys), Sergeant Pepper (Beatles), etc. But we all know that the fans often disagree and usually come up with their own consensus e.g., Here My Dear, Talking Book/Innervisions, Smile, Revolver/Rubber Soul/etc.

As for Prince, is there any general consensus among fans on which album is actually Prince's best work apart from SOTT?

I'd say it's 1999.

Other contenders (again, IMO):

• Purple Rain
• Diamonds & Pearls
• ATWIAD
• Dirty Mind
• Controversy

Wait, you put "D&P", "ATWIAD", & "Controversy" on this list [& I love "Controversy"], But no "Parade", or "Lovesexy"?!?!?! You are buggin'.

I would have to believe that "Parade" would be, if "SOTT" didn't exist.

As I said that is a personal list . But for "consensus" purpose, I'll add them to the list

[Edited 8/29/13 18:17pm]

kewlschool said:

It's a tough one, but Purple Rain. 1999, Dirty Mind, and Parade are pretty good too!

These 4 albums (plus SOTT obviously) are the only ones that are worthy of being considered to be Prince's best work. Purple Rain is the winner IMO.

Lately I'm starting to think that I prefer Parade to Sign. There are no weak tracks on Parade, while side B of Sign has some clear misses.

-----

Of the ones mentiones by vikfunk, I would go for Around The World In A Day and Diamonds And Pearls.

Javi said:

Lately I'm starting to think that I prefer Parade to Sign. There are no weak tracks on Parade, while side B of Sign has some clear misses.

I have the same, in fact I think that Parade might actually have become my favorite Prince album of all time.

SOTT, Parade, Lovesexy, ATWIAD are my favourite Prince albums, so any of them, excluding SOTT obviously.

SpiritOtter said:

P.S. Even though from a purely personal perspective, I am drawn to particularly Parade, 1999 and Lovesexy, as astonishing works of complete art.

Over SOTT, I say Parade side by side with Purple Rain

If Dream Factory was a released Album I might have put that as his best.

SOTT is a mix of 2 or 3 albums so even though it's in the top 5, I don't think it's his best

Around the World in a Day is #3 for me

I don't think Sign is even his best work...that would be Lovesexy and Parade. Sign has great songs, but some filler too, with Lovesexy and Parade being great from start to finish.

vikfunk said:

The critics seem to have a general consensus that SOTT is Prince's best work, in the same way that they agree on What's Going On (Marvin), Songs in the Key of Life (Stevie), Pet Sounds (Beach Boys), Sergeant Pepper (Beatles), etc. But we all know that the fans often disagree and usually come up with their own consensus e.g., Here My Dear, Talking Book/Innervisions, Smile, Revolver/Rubber Soul/etc.

As for Prince, is there any general consensus among fans on which album is actually Prince's best work apart from SOTT?

I'd say it's 1999.

Other contenders (again, IMO):

• Purple Rain
• Diamonds & Pearls
• ATWIAD
• Dirty Mind
• Controversy

I don't think Sergeant Pepper's is the general consensus for the Beatles. It seems to rotate between Sergeant Pepper's, Revolve, and Rubber Soul (and just occasionally the White Album). So, the general consensus as to the Beatles' best album isn't static, or simply, there isn't a general consensus.

It would have to be 1999 or Parade. For me these two are just classic.

Dirty Mind

1999, SOTT, The RainBow Children, ATWIAD, Purple Rain, or Parade......and I'm going 2 throw Crystal Ball in as well.

Take your pick.

IMO - As released, SOTT is flawed, mainly by including Beautiful Night , which I find over long and tonally doesn't fit in with the rest of the album. Also Hot Thing ain't Grade A material in my book, would made a better B side. Take those two out and add three or four other great songs from that era not on the album (take yer pick, there's so many), and you end up with one of his greatest albums, rather than just a very good/ borderline great album. Personally, I'd add We Can Funk (slow version), Joy in Repetition, Train, Good Love and Make Your Mama Happy. That way, you sure gain a lot more than you lose .

Though I love/ like most of SOTT, the unreleased Dream Factory album is for me, his greatest album, the natural successor to Parade, and the missing link between Parade and SOTT.

Put Dream Factory (or, to a slightly lesser extent, Purple Rain) up against the Beatles finest albums (which for me are either White Album or Abbey Road) and you might have a contest .

[Edited 8/29/13 10:06am]

1999 is my personal favorite,but I can see why so many fans and critics consider Sign O The Times to be Prince's best work.It's an incredible album.

1999, Purple Rain, ATWIAD, Parade, Sign O The Times, LoveSexy are all interchangeble as the definitive Prince album depending on your preferences. That run of albums is just FRIGHTENINGLY good and unrivalled except for maybe The Beatles' Help, Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt Pepper, White Album run.

[Edited 8/29/13 14:17pm]

If not SOTT, then surely Purple Rain and 1999 are his best works.

I say 1999 all day long.... for me it is his best

1999 slightly in front of Purple Rain.

.

And to even mention D&P in that list is...............

coltrane3 said:

vikfunk said:

The critics seem to have a general consensus that SOTT is Prince's best work, in the same way that they agree on What's Going On (Marvin), Songs in the Key of Life (Stevie), Pet Sounds (Beach Boys), Sergeant Pepper (Beatles), etc. But we all know that the fans often disagree and usually come up with their own consensus e.g., Here My Dear, Talking Book/Innervisions, Smile, Revolver/Rubber Soul/etc.

As for Prince, is there any general consensus among fans on which album is actually Prince's best work apart from SOTT?

I'd say it's 1999.

Other contenders (again, IMO):

• Purple Rain
• Diamonds & Pearls
• ATWIAD
• Dirty Mind
• Controversy

I don't think Sergeant Pepper's is the general consensus for the Beatles. It seems to rotate between Sergeant Pepper's, Revolve, and Rubber Soul (and just occasionally the White Album). So, the general consensus as to the Beatles' best album isn't static, or simply, there isn't a general consensus.

You're right it's always rotating between those albums, but it's safe to say Sgt. Pepper is widely considered as their best. For me it's either The White Album or Abbey Road.

Lovesexy.